IWAN (JOHN) KLYMENKO

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IWAN (JOHN) KLYMENKO Surrounded by his family at his bedside, it is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of our dearest father, grandfather and great-grandfather at the age of 79. Iwan was predeceased by his dear wife Anna in 1986. He leaves to cherish his loving memory his four children, Michael (Sonia), Valerie, Helena (Jacques), Johnny (Jan) grandchildren, Danishka (Jonathan), Katia and Curtis and great-grandchildren, Jerehmy, Shelby and Cori. He also leaves behind his dear friend Katherine Golowinow, as well as Victoria Turchyn, Victor Schmatkow, Katherine Kowalenko and Tony Mewusch. Dad was born in Belorussia in 1921. After the Second World War, his first step toward immigrating to Canada was to go to Germany. While living there for two years he met and married a beautiful BeloRussian girl (our mom), and her name was Anna; son Michael was born in Germany. The next stop for Dad was Belgium, where he had to work several months in a coal mine before Mom could join him. Together they lived in Belgium for four years and Dad continued working in the mine. Dad was always very proud of the small pension he received direct from Belgium for those four years of hard work. Daughter Valerie was born in Belgium. In the early 1950s Dad and Mom came to Winnipeg, Man., where they had two more children, Helena and Johnny. For a few years Dad worked in the stockyards but his desire for fresh air and being his own boss led him to buy a farm in Spruce Siding, Man. Together with Mom, they worked hard on that farm and there were difficult times, but throughout it all, there was a lot of love in our family. Dads huge passion was playing his European accordion and he was great at it. It was a joy to hear Dad play and Mom sing. Dad continued playing that accordion throughout the years. When his house burned down in September 1999, and everything with it including his accordion burned, his good friend Peter Mewusch sent him another European accordion from Montreal and Dad kept on playing. In the summer of 2000 Dad bought another house in Hadashville, Man. He was excited about this property and spent many happy hours with son Johnny fixing it up. Dad had a great attitude and great sense of humour. He was always happy and was very kind and helpful to everyone, especially his children. We Love You and Miss You Dad. Prayers will be held 8:00 p.m., October 13, at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St., and funeral will take place 1:30 p.m., October 14, with interment to follow at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens, 4477 Main St., Winnipeg, Man. Pallbearers will be Victor Schmatkow, Curtis Gesell, Tony Mewusch, Jacques Desrosiers, Jonathan Esterhazy, Alex Harochaw and Maureen Tays. Cropo Funeral Chapel in care of arrangements, 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 12, 2000